Race 3 – 2:45PM Bi-Rite Home Appliances Wangaratta 4YO+ Maiden Plate (1170 METRES)
They don’t trial much better than #12 YELLLOWKNIFE – only bad luck beats her on debut. Her two trials at Pakenham this time in have been sublime, she has a high cruising speed and looks to have a strong turn of foot judging by her latest piece of work. Celine Gaudray is a regular go-to for the Hayes boys so a positive to see her riding.
If there’s a concern, it’s that she debuts as a 4yo, suggesting she has had a few issues. But off her work she will bounce, settle on speed, quicken and win.
In terms of dangers, #1 KILMER has trialled up well for this return and Tim Fitzsimmons has his stable going OK. While #11 SILVER TOP RIDGE will appreciate drawing an inside alley after two wide draws in her career to date.
Suggested bet:
Rate #12 YELLOWKNIFE a $1.50 pop. Anything black figures looks a spoil, and we are getting $2.10 at Bet 365 on race morning. Keen to bet.
Race 6 – 4:25PM Winsec Savings & Loans BM66 Handicap (1000 METRES)
#10 THINKING OF GERTY trialled nicely on her home track at Echuca in preparation for this resumption. She’s a gun fresh horse having won all three first-up runs, and they’ve produced ratings strong enough to be winning this. She maps ideally from gate four and Rose Hammond knows this mare well having ridden her on ten occasions. She gets preferred firm ground too.
The knock/query is she has concussion plates on the front for the first time but backing the stable in.
Suggested bet:
Backing #10 THINKING OF GERTY.
